Ford Explorer vs BMW X5 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2011 catalog dimensions. Ford Explorer · BMW X5

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length197.1 in
  • Height70.4 in – 71.0 in
  • Wheelbase112.6 in
  • Ground clearance7.6 in – 8.3 in
  • Curb weight4,557 lb – 4,732 lb
Front / width
  • Width78.9 in
  • BMW X5 width76.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW X5 is 5.9 in shorter (197.1 in vs 191.2 in)
  • Width: BMW X5 is 2.8 in narrower (78.9 in vs 76.1 in)
  • Height: Ford Explorer is 0.8 in taller (70.7 in vs 69.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 2.9 in longer wheelbase (112.6 in vs 115.5 in)
  • Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.7 in more ground clearance (8.0 in vs 8.7 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW X5 is 525 lb heavier (4,645 lb vs 5,170 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW X5 is 525 lb heavier (4,645 lb vs 5,170 lb)
  2. Ground clearance: BMW X5 has 0.7 in more ground clearance (8.0 in vs 8.7 in)
  3. Width: BMW X5 is 2.8 in narrower (78.9 in vs 76.1 in)
  4. Length: BMW X5 is 5.9 in shorter (197.1 in vs 191.2 in)
  5. Wheelbase: BMW X5 has a 2.9 in longer wheelbase (112.6 in vs 115.5 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW X5BMW X5 is shorter by 5.9 in Check garage fit for Ford Explorer · garage fit for BMW X5
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW X5BMW X5 is narrower by 2.8 in
  • More ground clearanceBMW X5BMW X5 has 0.7 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW X5Based on length × width (BMW X5)

Dimension comparison

SpecFord ExplorerBMW X5Difference
Length197.1 in191.2 in5.9 in
Width78.9 in76.1 in2.8 in
Height70.7 in69.9 in0.8 in
Wheelbase112.6 in115.5 in2.9 in
Ground clearance8.0 in8.7 in0.7 in
Curb weight4,645 lb5,170 lb525 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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